whizzing javelins, and falling back, dragged with
them those who were in their rear; and others, from fear of similar
mischances, shrank from the attack.

7. The besieged being encouraged by the issue of this first conflict,
and hoping for still better success, disregarded the rest of the attacks
made on them; and with resolute minds they stationed engines in suitable
positions, and with unwearied toil discharged the duties of watching and
of whatever else could tend to their safety.

8. On the other hand, the besiegers, though fearing another combat, and
full of anxiety, still out of shame would not appear lazy or cowardly,
and as they could make no way by open attacks, they also applied
themselves to the various manoeuvres employed in sieges. And because
there was no ground favourable for working battering-rams or other
engines, nor for making mines, since the river Natiso passed under the
walls of the city, they contrived a plan worthy to be compared with any
effort of ancient skill.

9. With great rapidity they built some wooden towers, higher than the
battlements of the enemy, and then fastening their boats together, they
placed these towers on them. In them they stationed soldiers, who, with
undaunted resolution, laboured to drive down the garrison from the
walls; while under them were bodies of light infantry wholly
unencumbered, who going forth from the hollow parts of the towers below,
threw drawbridges across, which they had put together beforehand, and so
tried to cross over to the bottom of the wall while the attention of the
garrison was diverted from them; so that while those above them were
attacking one another with darts and stones, those who crossed over on
the drawbridges might be able without interruption to break down a
portion of the wall and so effect an entrance.

10. But once more a clever design failed in its result. For when the
towers came close to the walls, they were assailed with brands steeped
in pitch, and reeds, and faggots, and every kind of food for flames, all
kindled. The towers quickly caught fire, and yielding under the weight
of the men who were mounted on them, fell into the river, while some of
the soldiers on their summits, even before they fell, had been pierced
with javelins hurled from the engines on the walls, and so died.

11. Meanwhile the soldiers at the foot of the wall, being cut off by the
destruction of their comrades in the boats, were crushed with huge
stone